Abstract

The victim is a person who suffers harm caused by the crime. The term victimology is the study of the impact of crime against the victim and the role played in the criminal justice and includes the psychological effect of victim and relationship with offender and societal response and mechanism available for compensation and rehabilitation. There are some challenges faced by the victim like lack of awareness, delay in granting compensation, social stigma and limited access to legal aid. The paper focuses on the role of victimology in the administration of criminal justice and identify the areas where it is necessary to work upon. It further focuses on the historical background of compensation to victim and how much it is necessary in justice delivery. The paper also focuses on the theories of victimology and its role in criminal justice to victim such as Positivist Victimology Theory; Routine Activities Theory; Psycho-Social Coping Theory; Radical Victimology Theory etc. It further deals with the Law Commissions Report and Malimath Committee Report on the reforms of the Criminal Justice System as well as recommendation on victim justice The paper also deals on the role of judiciary on victim compensation as well as the International Obligations under various International Instruments regarding victim compensation. It further emphasizes on need to change the paradigms towards victims. It also deals with the suggestions in order to deal with the issues related to victims and their rights.

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